title: Hepatitis A and hepatitis B infection prevalence and associated risk factors in men who have sex with men, Bangkok, 2006-2008.
abstract: Despite the availability of safe and effective vaccines, little is known about prevalence and risk factors for hepatitis A (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among Thai men who have sex with men. The prevalence of HAV and HBV infection among men who have sex with men cohort in Bangkok was assessed. Baseline blood specimens were drawn and demographic and behavioral data were collected. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze risk factors for prevalent HAV and HBV infection. One thousand two hundred ninety-nine Thai men who have sex with men 18 years and older were enrolled. Among those with results, 349/1,291 (27.0%) had evidence of past or current hepatitis A infection. Of the 1,117 (86.5%) men with unambiguous HBV test results, 442 (39.6%) had serologic evidence of past/current infection, 103 (9.2%) were immune due to hepatitis B vaccination, 572 (51.2%) had no evidence of immunological exposure to HBV or vaccine. Of those with past/current HBV infection, 130 (29.4%) were HIV positive. Age >35 years was independently associated with both HAV and HBV infection. University education was protective against both HAV and HBV infection. Increased alcohol consumption, number of lifetime male sexual partners ≥10, and prevalent HIV infection were also independently associated with HBV infection. The prevalence of past/current HAV and HBV infection was high in Bangkok men who have sex with men. Age-cohorts with a higher prevalence of hepatitis B vaccine induced immunity may be expected in the future. Hepatitis A and B vaccination is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Robert W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Linkins
authors.forename: Wannee
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chonwattana
authors.forename: Timothy H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Holtz
authors.forename: Punneeporn
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wasinrapee
authors.forename: Supaporn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chaikummao
authors.forename: Anchalee
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Varangrat
authors.forename: Jaray
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tongtoyai
authors.forename: Philip A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Mock
authors.forename: Marcel E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Curlin
authors.forename: Pachara
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sirivongrangson
authors.forename: Frits
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: van Griensven
authors.forename: Janet M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: McNicholl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology*; D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
keywords: Thailand; hepatitis A; hepatitis B; homosexual men; immunization; prevalence; risk factors